Seeking Advice on My in Home Daycare

Hi S., I'm an insurance agent in AZ and you may want to check with your homeowners insurance policy. Usually insurance companies will not insure a home with a daycare, the liability risk is too high. If something happens to one of those kids in your care and on your property, you are responsible and don't think that those parents will not sue you for everything you have. You can get an insurance policy for your home daycare, but they are very expensive. You need to check into this and make sure you are willing to take the risk. Good luck.

I own a childcare center and I think one of the most important things is to have a policy handbook in place. Have the parents sign something stating they have received one. In it put your sick policies, payment policies (another words if they vacation, or their child cannot attend due to illness, holidays, etc.) they still have to pay you for care. Pick-up policies, do not release to anyone who is not on an emergency pick-up list. Medication authorization, if you will or will not administer medication. Have them sign a medical release form if their child has to receive emergency treatment in case they cannot be reached. It is important you protect yourself when you are caring for children in your home. Have you made sure your homeowners insurance will protect you in case of injury? I think one of the most difficult challenges of in home daycare is having different aged children together. Try to keep the babies and toddlers, separate from older children to prevent injury. I am sure you have some type of information on how to write up your policies. Keep a log daily for babies and toddlers on diaper changes, feedings, etc so mom can see your documentation for the day. And label, label, label everything, food, clothing, utensils. If you have any children with allergies post them. Just in case you for some reason are not present and someone else is helping out to prevent confusion on formulas, food, etc. If there is anything else you need help with reach out I would gladly answer any questions you may have. Good luck!!

I run an in home daycare while one is my 3 year old daughter and my 2 year old niece I watch two others and will be getting an infant here in two months. I have a set schedule that we have been on since I started this 2 years ago. I just started teaching my daughter and niece preschool using lettersoftheweek.com they have a curriculum for younger also. I have age appropriate toys and crafts for them to do. I have ever cabinet/door baby proofed so they can't get into a room I don't want them in. I do not let them play in my kids rooms during daycare hours. I spread them out at nap time. I have all of my rates, rules/policies written out and give them a copy when they start and have one in there file make sure you have the proper paperwork in every childs file. As long as you follow the states rules and regulations you will be fine. Good Luck and God bless this is the best job ever and I feel so blessed being able to do it!! If you have any other specific questions I'd be glad to answer them.

Do you have paperwork written up to give to parents? Your policies need to be in writing, (when they pay, late fees, your attitude on discipline - what you will and won't be doing to handle situations, your policy on medications, closings for weather, etc.) - they need to read it and sign it so you can keep it filed. This is good protection for you just in case of future disagreements. I used to have an in-home daycare and still have friends who do, so that's one thing I would suggest. You weren't specific on anything you wanted advice on.. was there any area specifically you were thinking??

As a mom who used an in home daycare for my first child, I would suggest keeping toddlers and infants separate. I would keep older children away from the toddlers and so on. Watch for aggressive children who might bite or hit the others and if it happens be completely on top of it and honest with the parents on both sides of any incident. Watch the children closely so they don't go to places or areas of the house/yard or street that they are not supposed to go.
Keep a record of the day's activities, even with infants. Sleep/nap schedules/lunch/snack schedules/what was eaten/activities/good/bad behavior. Have a craft they can do and take home every day. Consider teaching some of them colors/reading/writing skills. You can get supplies at Dollar Tree so cheap! Do something that sets you apart from the rest of the babysitters so you are not considered a babysitter but a professional daycare. Have a daily curriculum that you can hand out to parents so they know what questions to ask or what to expect each day.
Keep unnecessary visitors or your friends away if possible unless they are working for you in your daycare. Parents are generally not comfortable when they show up to pick up their child and find random adults hanging around. It keeps any suspicion off your childcare if something happens to one of the children. Follow some of the same guidelines that large commercial daycare's do about such things. Consider getting an in home surveillance system in your home so that you can give parents some comfort and it could protect you as well from any accusations.
I know some of my suggestions seem on the cautious/negative side but I have never had luck with using in home daycare and every single one I used for my son, there was an incident or serious problem that caused me to move him until I eventually begged my sister to watch him full time.

Consider the added perk of being a "green" daycare center. As a parent of a child with allergies and skin sensitivities, I appreciate extra measures such as using only non toxic pesticides, cleaning products, not using scented air fresheners, no smoking not only in the home but on the premises, etc. Here's a checklist that may give you more ideas.

http://www.oeconline.org/resources/publications/kitsandti...

S.,
Nobody here mentioned rates,this is a very difficult subject. You might want to charge less to get customers quickly. That's what I had to do recently. I have been running a registered in-home childcare for 8 years, and competition is very high due to the economy. Many women want to do childcare because they lost their job, so you will compete with non licensed homes that will charge much less than $180/week. Current price in my area (North Dallas) is the same as Little Elm for licensed home, but, as I said, you migth have to adjust a little in order to get 4-5 children in a short period of time. Also, check craigslist to have an idea of what other charge, and you can also advertise your daycare for free.
Hope this help.
A.

I have two kids, and a third on the way. I love using home daycares, and my boys have always gone to them. I really appreciated having a mutiple-child discount. Besides that, it was really nice to know what my kids were eating, what their nap schedule was, and some of the things they did or talked about during the day.

Good luck!